Kintsugi is a centuries-old Japanese art form that involves repairing broken pottery with gold. The practice is a metaphor for embracing imperfection and finding beauty in the broken. Kintsugi philosophy teaches us to accept transience, imperfection, and the beauty found in simplicity. In this blog post, we will explore the philosophy of kintsugi and how it can help us navigate failure and disappointment.
History of Kintsugi
Kintsugi has a rich history that dates back to the late 16th and early 17th centuries in Japan. The third ruling Shogun of that era, Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, is said to have broken his favorite tea bowl. The bowl was unique and could not be replaced. Rather than discarding the pieces, the fragments were put back together with a glue-like tree sap and the cracks were adorned with gold. This practice has come to represent the idea that beauty can be found in imperfection. The breakage is an opportunity, and applying this kind of thinking to instances of failure in our own lives can be helpful.
Philosophy of Kintsugi
Kintsugi philosophy teaches us to embrace imperfection and find beauty in the broken. It is a metaphor for life and how we can navigate failure and disappointment. Kintsugi philosophy is centered on the acceptance of transience, imperfection, and the beauty found in simplicity. The practice of kintsugi is an extension of the Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi, which sees beauty in the incomplete and value in simplicity. The broken pieces are carefully glued together with the sap of an indigenous Japanese tree, left to dry for a few weeks, and then adorned with gold running along its cracks. The gilded restoration usually takes up to three months. In an age of mass production and quick disposal, learning to accept and celebrate scars and flaws is a powerful lesson in humanity and sustainability.
Kintsugi-Inspird Earrings
Our collection of Kintsugi-inspired earrings are a beautiful way to celebrate the beauty of imperfection. These earrings are made by sea glasses and ceramics that were found in Ocean in Shizuoka, Japan. Kintsugi-inspired earrings are a great way to remind ourselves that our flaws and imperfections are what make us unique and beautiful.